San Jose State football: Training camp preview

*** I’ll address Cal and Stanford in coming days. Yes, the teams have already started — SJSU has been underway since Friday. But just as a best-of-seven series doesn’t really start until the road team wins, training camp doesn’t really start until they put pads on. The Spartans did so Tuesday, and Cal and Stanford won’t start full-contact work until later this week. David Shaw put it well Monday when asked about Stanford’s pass rush: “It’s Day 1 without pads on. It is what it is.”

Some Spartan specifics …

*** First, if you aren’t already aware, the best place for SJSU news is SpartanCentral, our not-so-new blog operated by BANG’s Jimmy Durkin.

His detailed preview of training camp is available on the blog and also on the Merc website.

*** The Spartans will scrimmage twice during camp: Aug. 9 and 16.

Both events are scheduled for 4 p.m. in the stadium; both are open to the public; and both have free admission.

The 8/16 scrimmage is part of a Fan Fest that includes autographs, etc.

*** With Travis Raciti as the anchor, the defensive line should be one of the best in the Mountain West given its depth and experience. I’m curious to see how the two deep shakes out.

(The Spartans never should have switched to the 3-4 last year. Their front-seven personnel was better suited for a 4-3, and the move cost them dearly.

(Look for new DC Greg Robinson to make better use of the talent.)

*** My view of the quarterback situation:

If coach Ron Caragher has not named Joe Gray the starter by the end of the second week of camp (before or immediately after the scrimmage on the 16th), there’s a problem.

Senior Blake Jurich is effective when used sparingly in the option, but that’s about it.

For the Spartans to compete for a spot in the postseason, Gray has to start. He has to start, and he has to make it clear to everyone early in camp that he’s the No. 1.

*** All eyes are on the QBs, but the unit charged with protecting Gray and Jurich is being retooled.

The Spartans have just two returning starters on the offensive line in center David Peterson and left tackle Wes Schweitzer.

What’s more, line coach Keith Carter is in his first season and has never coached at the major college level. (He was with Caragher at USD and then handled quality control for two years for the Seahawks.)

How quickly will it take the revamped unit with the new coach — Carter is also the run game coordinator — to begin functioning cohesively?

An inexperienced line and a first-time starter at quarterback is a precarious situation for any offense.